Sedan versions of hatchbacks have a tendency to be awkward-looking things with challenging proportions dictated by small budgets and smaller hardware underneath.

And Mercedes-Benz' recent small cars have been homely-looking things too - think of the previous-generation B-Class and A-Class that mixed the style of a Toyota Tarago with one of the finest badges in motoring.

But the CLA is svelte, with a style few cars under $50,000 can match. Its swooping roofline is unlike anything else in its segment, and can only really be related to full-size four-door coupes such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Audi A7 Sportback and BMW 6-Series GranCoupe.

Audi and BMW followed the three pointed star with those designs, and Mercedes-Benz is once again set to lead the way by being the first carmaker to enter the small-premium-four-door-coupe arena.

Its rivals are in hot pursuit, with Audi set to introduce an A3 sedan to compliment its five-door Sportback, and BMW believed to be readying a sexier 2-series coupe based on its 1-Series hatch.

The bar has been set high for those cars as the entry-level CLA includes a host of standard features including a reversing camera, climate control, “artico” leatherette trim, 18-inch wheels and satellite navigation.

Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, the base-model CLA200 uses 115kW and 250Nm to keep it on the move.

That's an ample amount without being thrilling, and enthusiasts keen for more grunt can step up to the 155kw, $63,400CLA250 or the 265 kW, $86,900 CLA45 AMG which are both powered by 2.0-litre turbocharged engines.

The CLA200’s 1.6-litre motor is smooth and willing, offering enough pull to satisfy the majority of drivers.

It has a pleasant note that ties in well with its sporty image, and the motor is well matched to a seven-speed dual clutch auto.

The transmission shifts quickly and cleanly for the most part, with the odd clunky downshift when pressing on using shift paddles.

Crisp, well-weighted steering and a firm ride lend something of a sporty character, particularly when specified with the $1490 AMG line option that brings lower, stiffer suspension along with a bodykit, sports seats and flat-bottomed steering wheel.

The CLA’s interior is a pleasant place to be, with a standard satnav screen taking pride of place above aviation-inspired air vents that would not look out of place on the SLS AMG supercar.

It’s spacious up front, but tall back-seat occupants could be cramped by that coupe silhouette. The CLA is wider, lower and longer than its A-Class sister, which has an extra 47mm in rear headroom.

Aluminium trim on the dashboard brings another highlight, as do the various ways in which the dash can be trimmed. Our test cars included cars with charcoal leatherette stitched with thread ranging from classy cream or navy tones to outlandish red or neon yellow hues.

The latter is part of the $4990 “edition one” package that includes black leather sports seats that have thick contrasting neon yellow elements running over their surface.

It’s not a look that will suit everyone, but it could be testament to the variety of buyers Mercedes-Benz has targeted with this car.

The brand’s general manager of sales, Richard Emery, says the new A-Class appealed to a younger audience than the CLA, which appealed to a broader audience. Emery says three quarters of A-Class and CLA buyers were buying their first Mercedes-Benz, and that the models were an important part of the brand’s growth strategy.

“We’ve had customers picking up their cars and crying, saying ‘I never thought I could afford a Mercedes-Benz’,” Emery says.

“It puts pressure on us because we have to live up to that ownership expectation.”

It’s impossible to say how the new Mercedes-Benz will fare over a lifetime, but if first impressions are anything to go by, the CLA meets the standards of luxury, innovation and refinement people expect from the marque.

49 comments so far

Nice review. I'm looking forward to seeing these on the road - hopefully with a similar take up rate as the new A class. MB's styling direction is good in my view - certainly better than BMW's. I'd shudder to think what a Lexus in this segment may look like, if the new IS is anything to go by. That new front end is too ugly for words

Commenter

Wes Mantooth

Location

Date and time

October 08, 2013, 8:23AM

It's all in the eye of the beholder because I think the front-end on the new IS looks amazing. It gives the car so much attitude it will probably put your average Lexus buyer off but for a sports focussed luxury sedan, I reckon it is spot-on. OTOH, from the photos I don't know if the CLA will cut it nearly as well. It has the same droopy tail the original Ford Taurus had. It may work in the metal but in these and other photos I've seen , it doesn't look good at all.

Oh, and for the record, Lexus already have an A Class competitor, the CT200h. It's styling is a little bland but it looks nice enough overall.

Commenter

MotorMouth

Location

Sydney

Date and time

October 08, 2013, 9:53AM

It'll take Lexus too long to bring a worthy competitor to the segment...

Commenter

Timothy

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

October 08, 2013, 9:55AM

The CT200h competes with the Corolla.

Commenter

lolwat

Location

Date and time

October 08, 2013, 10:00AM

lolwat; correct the CT200H *IS* a Corolla. ;)

MM, which Taurus? The example the US offloaded on us? Trust me, there is one sitting outside right now and this CLA is nowhere near as bad as the Taurus. In fact it has very good lines from the front and rear quarter shots.

However, if you think the CT is alright, I can appreciate your slightly left of center view on vehicle aesthetics.

Commenter

Timothy

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

October 08, 2013, 10:08AM

Totally lolwat.... but in fairness i guess Jaguar's are tarted up Ford Mondeos (or perhaps not so tarted up ;p ) and don't even get me started on Audis.... all things being equal, having Toyota reliability isn't a bad thing. My 3 series has been in the garage twice already for warranty repairs and i am outraged to hear that BMW are potentially planning a facelift already!!!!

I miss my IS250.... not as quick or lairy as my 335 but I feel like asides from having a beautiful engine, I bought a bit of a plastic pig

Commenter

RFF

Location

Sydney

Date and time

October 08, 2013, 11:09AM

totally, RFF! But wasn't that the old X-type Jag that was based on the Mondeo? I must admit, the A3 is a tarted-up Golf with extra insulation. I would have thought the IS was the plastic Toyota wonderland; the BMW has better, more tactile materials.